Tool handle



@ncfno W 19%. 1 663 5 T. L, CRQQK TOOL HANDLE Filed Sept. 21; 925

l illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

l a'tented @et is, 1926, y

ltlT-ED; STATES PhTENT QFFlQE;

THOMAS LCRQOK, GE EICKS'VHJLE, bHIU. I

theater root. HANDLE.

Application flied September This invention relates to handles for use in connection with forks, rakes, files or I. other tools orimplements that may be prowith the socketed'tang-receiving end of a tool handle to initially hold and guide a tool tang in predetermined relation to the handle while being inserted and driven therein,

,The invention. is fully described in the following specification, and while inits broader aspect it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, one embodiment thereof is which,

Figure 1 is aperspective View of a hay fork with the handle partly .broken away and disconnected from tool. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a tool and its handle with the handle partly in longitudinal section and with the tool tan initially held for insertion into the handle socket. Fig. 3 is a similar viewwith the handle and tool in operative engagement. Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts partly turned around, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the handle and tool in complete assembled relation, and Fig. 6 is an outer end viewof the ferrule member embodying the invention.

Referring to'the drawings, 1 designates a tool' handle, customarily of wood, and havtilt larly resides and which is fitted over ing the axially disposed tool-tang receiving socket 2 in its inner end, 3 the usual reinforcing ferrule that is fitted on. the inner socketed end of the handle, and t a cap member in whichthe presentinvention particuthe outer end of the ferrule 3.

The tool 5, in the present instance, is

I represented as ahay fork provided with the usual'tang 6 that is squared in cross-section for insertion into the round socket or tang receiving hole 2 of the handle. lit will be understood that when the'tang 6 is forced into the handle socket 2, the corner edges of the tang cut into the wall of the socket and resist a withdrawal of the tang. therefrom.

The cap a is provided crosswise of its outer or closed end with the usual slot Z for receiving the crossbar portion 8 of the tool when the tan is driven home into the handle, and in or or that the tool may he 21, rear. Serial It'd-51,504.

' tion to the handle suitable to the handle bend or the tool to be applied. When the handles are sold forextra handles or for replacement purposes, they are'usually furni-shed by the factory withthe ferrule 3, and cap 4 attached. The cap, however, is not ordlnarily so securely attached to the ferrule but what-it may be easily knocked ofi'if desired.

The side edge walls of the cap slot 7, in carrying out the feature of my invention, are provided with inturned-integral lips 9, which are gpreferably of greater width g lengthwise of the. slot 7 than the width of the tool tange and are adapted to coact with the opposite sldes of the tang to frictionally grip the same and act as guides for holding the tang in aligned relation to the handle.

socket2. The lips 9 are inclined inwardly toward each other, so that the width of the space between the outer edges thereof is at least as great as the width of the tang end to be inserted therein, while the space between the inner or free endsof the lips is less than thewidth of the tang end so that the lips will be slightly spread apart by the tan as it is forced inwardly therebetween. hhe

metal of the cap has suficient spring to cause them to have a yielding frictional enagement with the tang as it is forced therehetween through the cap slot.

' If the handle 'is of the straight type, so that it is not important to secure the tool to the handle in any particular angular rela-v tion thereto, the lips 9 engage the tang of the tool and assist in guiding and holding it in centered relation to the handle socket 2 while being forced therein.

see if it is in proper angular relation thereto before forcing the tang into the handle socket. If the handle does not bear the proper relation, the tool is removed from Hill Should the tool be of a character requiring a bent handle,-.

' with respect to the handle.

between the lips 9 and the cap 4:, then loosened on the ferrule 3 and turned thereon to obtain the proper relation of the cap slot This being done, the tool tang is again inserted between the holding lips 9 and held thereby while the workman is determining if the tool is in proper relation to the handle. When the proper relationship of the handle and toolhas been obtained, the tool tang is forced into the socket 2 in the usual or any suitable manner and during such operation, or at least the initial portion thereof, the lips 9 serve as a guiding means for the tang.

The cap enclosed end of the handle 1 is shown, in the present instance, as provided with a countersink 10 in coaxial relation to the socket 2, so that when the tang is inserted between the lips 9 and in engagement with the end of the handle, it may be easily and quickly centered with relation to the handle, as is apparent. 7

It is apparent that the provision of the lips 9 on the cap, in addition to serving as guides for the tool tang 6, also reinforce the cap at the sides of its slot or opening 7 so as to prevent denting or other injury from rough usage.- It frequently occurs that a person in handling the handles 1 with the caps 4 attached will drop the cap enclosed end onto a' pavement or cement floor or will drive the cap onto the end of the handle by striking it against a hard object. Such usage will dent in the cap and it is found that the provision of the tongues 9 is suflicient to reinforce the cap to prevent injury from such usage. 7

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and reoaeea changes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tool handle having a tool-tang receiving socket in its end, and a cap mounted on the socketed end of the handle with its outer end spaced from the handle end, the cap having atransverse slot in its outer closed end with tang guiding lips at the side edges of the slot and projecting toward the handle end.

2. A tool handle having a tool tang receiving socket in its inner end, a cap mounted on the socketed end of the handle and having a tang receiving opening in register with the handle socket and spaced outwardly therefrom, said cap having integral lips projecting into said space from opposite edge walls of the opening to form a space therebetween, which space is inwardly narrowed to a width less than that of the tool tang to be inserted therein whereby the lips are forced apart by the tang and guide its entrance into the handle socket.

3. A tool handle having a tool-tang re ceiving socket in its inner end and having such end dished in concentric relation to such socket to allow a tang to be easily centered therein, and a cap mounted on the socketed end of the handle with its outer end spaced from the handle end, the cap having provision for the insertion of a tool tang therethrough and for guiding and gripping the tang preparatory to and during its insertion into the handle socket.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

THOMAS L. CROOK. 

